AISI: US steel imports down but offshore market share up in Q1

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported Tuesday that the US imported a total of 1,505,000 net tons (nt) of steel in March 2009, including 1,437,000 nt of finished steel, which represent respective decreases of five and three percent from February final data. Total and finished steel imports on an annualized basis were down 32 percent and 22 percent versus 2008.

Steel products with increases in March 2009 over February 2009 include: rebar, mechanical tubing, HDG sheet and strip, line pipe, and standard pipe. All other steel imports declined in March from February, with the largest decreases seen in cut length plates (-48.4 percent) and ingots billets and slabs (-39.9 percent).

In Q1 2009 versus Q1 2008 US steel imports were down 18.8 percent. The only type of steel imports which showed an increase compared to the first three months of last year were OCTG products, which rose 78.5 percent in the period. All other US imports of steel products, including semi-finished steel, decreased in Q1 2009 compared to Q1 of 2008, with the largest decreases seen in ingots billets and slabs (-73.8 percent y-o-y) and rebar (-54.8 percent y-o-y).

AISI also commented that despite the continued decline of steel imports to the US, estimated import market share is on the rise, at just under 30 percent in March 2009, compared to just over 20 percent in March 2008. AISI is also troubled by the rise in finished steel imports from China in Q1 2009 over Q1 of last year (up 78 percent).